Andrew Shaw has been asked to play a lot of different roles for the Blackhawks throughout his career. What he’s been being asked of now may not be fair. Shaw isn’t without some offensive ability, but he isn’t going to score goals or dish out assists like your prototypical top-line left winger. He won’t do what Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad did in recent years at that position. And with Marian Hossa not producing at a high rate any longer, that puts more pressure on the other winger.

Shaw went without a goal Thursday for the 17th time in the last 20 games. He’s on a six-game goal slump. Those are numbers that would have sparked questions for Sharp, but the expectations aren’t the same for Shaw.

Shaw was more noticeable in the third period when Patrick Kane joined him and Toews. He didn’t have as much responsibility with the puck and could stick to his strengths, especially winning board battles and playing around the net. He helped win a puck that led to...

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